Recommended readings

The Counseling Center staff has compiled the following list of readings on
a variety of mental health and self-improvement topics. They are
offered as a service only. The Counseling, Health and Testing Center, the
University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Missouri Board of
Curators are not responsible for their content.

Anxiety

The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund J.
Bourne, Ph.D.

Assertiveness

Your Perfect Right: Assertiveness and Equality in Your Life and
Relationships by Robert E. Alberti and Michael L. Emmons

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder & Learning Disorders

Driven to Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. and John J.
Ratey, M.D.

An excellent resource on how ADHD may impact school,
work, and social relationships and what can be done to manage and even
benefit from symptoms.

The Survival Guide for College Students with ADHD or
LD by Kathleen G. Nadeau, Ph.D.

A hands-on resource for finding and effectively acquiring resources and
support services from specialists and the campus community. Strategies
are also offered to enhance learning, manage time, and prepare for exams.

Bipolar Disorder

Facing Bipolar: The Young Adult's Guide to Dealing With Bipolar Disorder by Russ Federman, Ph.D
and J. Anderson Thompson, M.D.

A resource to help you navigate the world of medication,
therapists, and the up-and-down mood cycles of bipolar
disorder. It clearly explains what bipolar disorder is
and provides sound guidance for developing the necessary
coping skills to manage its impact on your life

A free PDF book published by the International Bipolar
Foundation, created to assist anyone touched by bipolar
disorder. It contains helpful information on a variety of
topics that arise in everyday life, as well as resources for
dealing with specific issues facing those affected by the
disorder, with the goal of providing new perspectives and
helpful guides to healthy living, while recognizing the
stigma and challenges of bipolar disorder. One chapter
focuses on going to college with bipolar disorder.

Body Image & Eating Disorders

The Body Image Workbook by Thomas F Cash, Ph.D.

Life Without Ed by Jenni Schaefer & Thom
Rutledge

Gaining. The Truth About Life After Eating Disorders by Aimee
Liu

Career/Vocational

What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard Bolles

The Three Boxes of Life and How to Get Out of Them by Richard
Bolles

Both books assist with
exploring vocational and life pursuits and help you identify where your
passions really lie.

Depression

The Feeling Good Handbook by David D. Burns, M.D.

Provides techniques and exercises to help overcome mood problems and
change unhelpful feelings and behaviors.

The Depression Cure: The 6-Step Program to Beat
Depression Without Drugs by Stephen C. Ilardi

A description of the Therapeutic Lifestyle Change
treatment protocol for addressing symptoms of depression
without the use of psychotropic medications. The 6
steps help people naturally meet their physiological and
psychological needs through use of vitamin supplements,
exercise, sunlight exposure, reducing ruminative thoughts,
healthy sleep, and social connectedness.

Multicultural Issues

In the Company of My Sisters: Black
Women and Self-Esteem

Perfectionism

Never Good Enough

Relationships

Codependent No More. How To Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring
for Yourself

by Melody Beattie

Forgiveness Is A Choice: A Step-by-Step Process for Resolving Anger
and Restoring Hope

by Robert D. Enright, Ph.D.

For people who have been deeply hurt and are caught in anger, depression,
and resentment, this book shows how forgiveness can reduce anger and improve
well-being. Appropriate for readers of any (or no) spiritual
orientation.

Love Is Never Enough

by Aaron T. Beck, M.D.

Self-Esteem

Ten Days to Self Esteem (workbook)

by David D. Burns, M.D

.

In the Company of My Sisters: Black Women and
Self-Esteem

by Julia Boyd

Sleep

All I Want Is A Good Night's Sleep

by Sonia Ancoli-Israel, Ph.D.

A reader-friendly book to assist those having
difficulty sleeping. The book provides a brief introduction about the
mechanics and physiology of sleep along with information on the more common
sleep disorders. Straightforward interventions are offered to help
you achieve better, more restorative sleep.